Embrace Art.

The L.A. Times Festival of Books held on the grounds of USC was an inspirational space. Getting to it however, was another story. Finding parking when there are multiple events happening in the same section of the city is something you’ve got to leave to the powers that be. I think I must have walked five miles by the time the day was done. It was definitely worth it.

Author panels and artist performances were everywhere and this semi-controlled chaos did get overwhelming at times.

One of my favorite parts of the event was spending time at the Kaya Press & USC PhD in Creative Writing & Literature-Indie Lit Lounge.

I had a great time at the session on Cutting Edge YA Lit, which featured writers: Lilliam Rivera (The Education of Margot Sanchez -Simon & Schuster, Feb. 21, 2017), JJ Strong, and Chris Terry (Zero Fade).

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Artists in their element are always a joy to see.

Do check out the works of: Calida Garcia Rawles, James Haunt (pictured above), Clinton Bopp, and the band Small Shelter.

A total geek moment of the event: typing on an old typewriter.

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I’ll be posting more pictures of the event over the next few days on my Instagram, so keep a look out!

The United States is two places. Two cities, actually. New York and Los Angeles. Where did you come from? Where do you call “home”? Well, it has to be the east or west coast, right? Because let’s face it, the United States doesn’t really have a middle. I mean, sure there’s New Orleans and Miami but the focus has always been on NYC and LA. It always amuses me, the stereotypes and perspectives that many place on those coming from the various cities. People, knowingly or unknowingly, act as if others are coming from a whole other nation and not a couple miles away.

Though there is a sense of solidarity that surrounds those that embrace their local spaces. This next song and Musikal Musings #3 is just about that, the love that many of us have for our cities.

The song title is Dilli 6, from the Indian film Dehli 6 (2009).

The piece is in Hindi and there are bits of French and that combination makes me smile.

As you sit here in the Hostland, do you ever think about the Homeland? Is there a beat that truly represents you, your home(land)? One that you don’t skip over? One that seeps in and does not fade after a period of three minutes? Is there a piece that shapes your worldview and documents the diasporic experiences of the collective group of people that you belong to?

There are countless ones and in many different forms, but can you think of one? Is the title on the tip of your tongue?

Am I being too abstract for today?

How about an example…

Here is the second Musikal Musings title, “Postcards from Paradise” by Himalayan Project. It features the work of Chee Malabar.